Tag Archives: UK

In a joint press conference on the Family Synod with Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Bishop Peter Doyle of Northampton issued an apology to the LGBT community, that this important issue had not been properly addressed. (Previously, during the synod itself, Bishop Doyle had criticised the synod for the same point).

He (Bishop Doyle) also apologised that the Synod had not had time to deal with the issue of homosexuality. “I’m very sorry for the LGBT good people who were looking to the synod for something. It was really hard for people of same sex attraction. It wasn’t blocked. There was just so much to deal with.”

It’s also worth noting that his words of apology included “LGBT good people“, echoing a recurring theme from a number of bishops.

Here in the UK, there has not been a big push for same sex marriage, as the civil partnership regulations provide virtually the same benefits as full marriage This includes national benefits (unlike Washington’s proposal),and really is “marriage in all but name” (an important qualification). Now, according to the BBC, the British Quakers are to take up the issue.

The proposal to begin performing marriage ceremonies for same -sex couples is expected to pass by consensus, without opposition, at their annual gathering in York “on Friday”, even though this could bring them into conflict with the law. They are also expected to ask for the law to be changed. (Is “Friday” today…..or next week? I don’t yet know, but will investigate).

“The Quakers sanctioned gay marriage today and decided to call on the Government to give same-sex couples the same standing as married couples.

Other Christian churches and religious denominations have approved blessings for civil same-sex partnerships but the Quakers have now become Britain’s first mainstream religious group to approve gay marriage.”